Letters: Terrorist forfeited his rights
In this 2008 image made from video provided by WBTV in Charlotte, N.C., Samir Khan is shown in North Carolina. Credit: AP/WBTV
Regarding "Ally of al-Qaida grew up on LI" [News, Oct. 7], the question is, should an American terrorist have the same rights as a common criminal, or should we continue to use everything in our power to keep our great country safe? To me it is a no-brainer. Why should a terrorist, who plans and advocates to kill as many Americans as possible, be given the same treatment as a murderer?
Samir Khan was a traitor. The drone strikes are a smart and safe way for our country to defend itself from our attackers and prevent the killing of thousands of free people all around the world.
Khan's family is saying that their son's rights were violated, and as a parent, I can feel the pain of losing a son. But Samir Khan gave away all his rights as an American citizen when he turned against this country and got involved in trying to destroy it.
The American Civil Liberties Union must continue to fight for our rights under the Constitution, but it also must take into consideration that this document was written in a time when we didn't have terrorists trying to destroy the world.
John Blanco, Manorville
The family of homegrown terrorist Samir Kahn "deplored the U.S. government's role in the strike and asked why their son did not get due process as a U.S. citizen." He gave up his right as a citizen as far back as 2003, when his high-school musings so clearly showed his hatred for America.
And let us not forget that after the attacks against us 10 years ago, he "blamed Americans for bringing the terrorist attacks on themselves." He refused to recite the morning Pledge of Allegiance.
I do not normally agree with the politics of Rep. Peter King (R-Seaford) politics, but I am in complete agreement with his views on these homegrown terrorists.
Elizabeth Dehler, Wantagh
